Guide · Getting started
How to register on Polymarket: accounts, wallets & requirements
Ready to sign up? There are now two Polymarkets: a US, CFTC-regulated app that settles in dollars, and a crypto-native international site that settles in USDC. This guide gets you onto the right one quickly.
Below: a fast eligibility check, the exact steps for each path, a side-by-side comparison, how referral attribution works, and the security basics worth getting right from day one.
Disclosure. ReferLabs may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our analysis.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
Quick eligibility check
Before you start, three things decide which door you use. First, you must be 18 or older. Second, your location determines whether you use Polymarket US or Polymarket International. Third, some regions are restricted, so it is worth confirming yours before you sign up.
In the United States, Polymarket US is available in roughly 40 or more states, but several have issued restrictions or bans. States that have appeared on that list include Nevada, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona and Minnesota. This list changes, so treat it as current at the time of writing and confirm your own state in the official help centre.
Internationally, Polymarket is blocked in OFAC-sanctioned countries and several others, and access is enforced by IP address and the terms of service. Using a VPN to get around a geo-block violates the terms and can lead to a frozen account, so do not rely on one. If in doubt about your country, verify before depositing.
Path A: Polymarket US (regulated, USD)
Polymarket returned to the United States in late 2025 through the QCEX/QCX acquisition and relaunched in December 2025 as a CFTC-regulated, app-based platform that settles in US dollars. If you are a US resident in an eligible state, this is your path.
- Create an account with email or Google in the app.
- Complete KYC. You will verify your identity with a government ID, your SSN, and proof of US residency. This is a regulatory requirement, not an optional step.
- Fund in USD once verified.
- Start trading in the app, choosing from the US market list.
Remember that the US app's market list is not identical to the international site's, and that a handful of states cannot access it at all.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
Path B: Polymarket International (crypto, USDC)
Outside the US, Polymarket is crypto-native and settles in USDC on the Polygon network. You do not fill in a traditional KYC form; instead you onboard by connecting a wallet.
- Connect a wallet such as MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet. If you do not hold crypto yet, you can buy USDC with a card or bank transfer via MoonPay.
- Deposit USDC. Polymarket supports multi-chain deposits from Ethereum, Base, Arbitrum and Solana; larger deposits can bridge across via services like Across or deBridge.
- Start trading from the international market list.
Because you keep funds in your own wallet, this path is self-custodial: you control the keys, which means both more control and more responsibility for security (see below). New to how the markets themselves work? Start with markets explained.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
US vs International at a glance
| Polymarket US | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement currency | US dollars (USD) | USDC on Polygon |
| Identity check | Full KYC: government ID, SSN, proof of US residency | Connect a wallet; no traditional KYC |
| How you fund it | USD deposit in the app | Deposit USDC, or buy with card/bank via MoonPay |
| Custody | Custodial, held in the regulated app | Self-custody in your own wallet |
| Access | App-based, ~40+ US states (some restricted) | Web, geo-restricted by country |
| Regulation | CFTC-regulated | Crypto-native, terms by jurisdiction |
Referral attribution: the 30-day window
If you are arriving through a referral link, one detail matters: you need to sign up within 30 days of clicking the link for the referral to be attributed. The link can be shared well in advance, but the clock on attribution starts when you click and runs for 30 days.
Referral rewards are paid to the referrer out of trading fees and are governed entirely by Polymarket's program terms, which change; the full current rules are in the official referral docs. It costs you nothing extra to sign up through a referral link.
Security basics
- Protect your wallet. On the international platform your funds are self-custodied. Never share your seed phrase, store it offline, and consider a hardware wallet for larger balances.
- Turn on 2FA wherever it is offered, including on the US app and any connected exchange accounts.
- Only use the official app and site. Bookmark the real URL, be wary of lookalike domains and “support” DMs, and never approve a transaction you did not initiate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cryptocurrency to sign up?
Only for the international platform, which settles in USDC. Even then you can buy USDC with a card or bank transfer through MoonPay, so you do not need to already own crypto. Polymarket US uses US dollars and no crypto at all.
Is KYC required?
On Polymarket US, yes: you verify your identity with a government ID, SSN and proof of US residency, because it is a CFTC-regulated platform. On Polymarket International you onboard by connecting a wallet rather than completing a traditional KYC form.
Which states and countries can't use Polymarket?
In the US, several states have issued restrictions or bans, with examples including Nevada, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Arizona and Minnesota; the list changes. Internationally, OFAC-sanctioned countries and several others are blocked. Always verify your own jurisdiction on Polymarket's official site, as these lists change frequently.
Is there a signup bonus?
Any promotions or bonuses vary over time and by platform, and they change frequently, so we do not quote a fixed offer. Check the current terms on Polymarket's official site before signing up rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.
Can I use a VPN to access Polymarket from a blocked region?
No. Access is enforced by IP address and the terms of service, and using a VPN to bypass a geo-block violates those terms and can result in a frozen account. Confirm your jurisdiction is eligible before depositing.
How does the referral link work for me as a new user?
Signing up through a referral link costs you nothing extra. To be attributed to the referrer, you need to create your account within 30 days of clicking the link. The reward the referrer may earn comes from trading fees under Polymarket's program terms, not from you.
Create your Polymarket account
Pick the path that fits your location, complete the steps above, and you can be trading today. Signing up through our link costs you nothing extra.
Check availability in your jurisdiction before signing up.
Continue the guide
Risk & eligibility
Trading prediction markets involves risk, including loss of your entire stake. Availability and rules vary by country and US state. 18+ only. This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Verify current terms on Polymarket's official site before trading.
This page is operated by Refer Labs and contains a disclosed affiliate referral link to Polymarket. We may earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no extra cost to you. Referral rewards, fees, and country or US-state availability are set by Polymarket, change frequently, and are described here as current at the time of writing; always confirm the current terms on Polymarket's official documentation. Our full standards are at how we research.